Jakarta – Incoming Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto marked the occasion of Eid al-Fitr with a series of phone calls to leaders across the Middle East and Malaysia, extending greetings and reaffirming diplomatic ties. The outreach, confirmed by the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat, signals an early focus on regional relationships as Prabowo prepares to assume office. This series of calls, extending beyond the immediate Eid celebrations, underscores the importance Prabowo places on maintaining strong connections with key Muslim-majority nations.
The Cabinet Secretariat detailed the conversations in a post on its official Instagram account, @sekretariat.kabinet, on Monday, March 23, 2026. The initiative, according to the post, aims to foster closer cooperation and mutual support between Indonesia and its partners in the region. The timing of these calls, coinciding with the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr, highlights a commitment to cultural sensitivity and diplomatic protocol.
Extending Eid Greetings and Strengthening Alliances
Prabowo’s calls included conversations with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He also spoke with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, reaffirming the close bilateral relationship between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. These nations represent significant economic and political partners for Indonesia, and the gesture of goodwill is seen as a positive step towards continued collaboration.
The outreach isn’t limited to these leaders. The Cabinet Secretariat also noted that Prabowo previously extended Eid greetings to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Jordanian King Abdullah II, and Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. This broad engagement demonstrates a deliberate effort to connect with a diverse range of influential figures in the Muslim world.
A Focus on Regional Cooperation
Beyond the customary Eid greetings, the conversations reportedly touched upon broader themes of regional stability and economic cooperation. While specific details of the discussions haven’t been publicly released, the Cabinet Secretariat emphasized the importance of maintaining “closeness, support, and strengthening cooperation between countries.” Indonesia, as the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, often plays a key role in mediating regional disputes and promoting interfaith dialogue.
Analysts suggest that Prabowo’s proactive diplomacy is a signal of his foreign policy priorities. “Indonesia has always sought to be a bridge between different cultures and religions,” explains Dr. Lina Sari, a political analyst at the University of Indonesia. “These calls demonstrate a continuation of that tradition, and a commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s role as a regional leader.”
The Significance of Diplomatic Outreach
The choice of leaders contacted is also noteworthy. Palestine, currently navigating a complex political landscape, receives consistent support from Indonesia. Egypt and the UAE are key economic partners, while Malaysia shares close cultural and historical ties with Indonesia. Saudi Arabia, as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, holds significant religious and political influence.
The Indonesian government has long prioritized maintaining strong relationships with countries in the Middle East, recognizing their importance in areas such as energy security, trade, and investment. Reuters reported in January 2024 that Indonesia is actively seeking to increase trade and investment with nations in the region.
The Cabinet Secretariat’s Instagram post, which announced the calls, can be viewed here.
sekretariat.kabinetPada hari ini, Senin 23 Maret 2026, Presiden Prabowo Subianto kembali melanjutkan komunikasi mengucapkan selamat Hari Raya Idulfitri melalui sambungan telepon dengan para pemimpin muslim negara sahabat. Diantaranya, Presiden Palestina Mahmoud Abbas, Presiden Mesir Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Presiden Uni Emirat Arab Mohammed bin Zayed, Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. Silaturahmi ini menjadi doa dan harapan baik dalam menjaga kedekatan, dukungan dan memperkuat kerja sama antarnegara, khususnya di momentum Hari Raya yang penuh makna. Setelah sebelumnya, Presiden Prabowo mengucapkan ucapan yang sama melalui telefon dengan Presiden Turki Recep Erdogan, Perdana Menteri Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, Raja Jordan Abdullah II, dan Perdana Menteri Arab Saudi Mohammed Bin Salman. #Indonesia #KabinetIndonesiaMaju #PrabowoSubianto #Idulfitri
As Prabowo prepares to take office, these diplomatic overtures suggest a proactive approach to foreign policy, prioritizing regional partnerships and fostering goodwill with key allies. The next step will be to translate these initial conversations into concrete policy initiatives and collaborative projects. The Indonesian public will be watching closely to see how these relationships develop under the new administration.
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